The transformation of a key visitor site on the west shore of Loch Lomond has been given the go-ahead by planning officials.

The Loch Lomond and the National Park's £1.5 million plans for the redevelopment of the area around Tarbet pier includes altering and extending the toilet block, building a cafe, installing a shelter structures, alterations to the pier and erection of a pier shelter.

Work at the site could get under way later this year now that planning approval has been secured.

Vehicle and coach parking is also to be expanded, with proision for a cycle path, and alteration of the A82 trunk road to form a bus stop. Pier Road will be upgraded, formal parkland is to be established, and there will also be "woodland management and ancillary landscaping".

The plans also include an event space which can also be used by emergency helicopters.

The park authority's masterplan for the site was unveiled in January, and the proposals were approved this month.

There were only two public responses to a consultation on the plans - one in favour and one objecting.

The objector said public funds should not be used to improve parking for commercial funds, and suggested charging for overnight parking and including a small campsite in the area.

But the park authority's planning officials said the upgrades were needed and the proposals were of a high quality.

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When the masterplan was unveiled six months ago, the park authority said that subject to planning approval, work was likely to begin towards the end of 2023.

The Tarbet proposals were revealed in January alongside plans to carry out major work at Conic Hill, near Balmaha, and at Bracklinn Falls near Callander.

In January, Stuart Mearns, the park authority’s director of place, said: “The National Park is one of Scotland’s most popular visitor destinations and alongside ongoing work to support visitors, land managers and communities during the peak season, we are developing longer term plans to improve visitor services and infrastructure.

“These plans include upgraded facilities, paths and access routes, as well as projects which will over time ease visitor pressures and enable car-free travel.

“This month projects in some of our busiest locations, at Conic Hill, Tarbet and Bracklinn Falls, have all taken significant steps forward, helping prepare us for what we expect to be another very busy visitor season ahead.

READ MORE: Tarbet Pier: Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park work planned

“At Tarbet, while we make structural improvements to alleviate visitor pressures, we will also be improving biodiversity at the site and helping visitors embrace low emission travel.

“Beyond these three projects, we continue to review priorities for future investment throughout the Park and for ways we can encourage, and collaborate with, partners to upgrade their visitor sites.”

The masterplan and background documents for Tarbet can be found on the National Park's website by searching for the planning reference code 2023/0011/DET.